Woodstock Wednesday Feb. 23rd

[XCanytime]

Looks pretty good after 3P (WNW) and doggone warm (64 degrees) for this time of year. The list of pilots interested is building. Bacil

[RichH]

Im very interested, the forecast is looking good after 1-2pm tomorrow. W winds becoming WNW 10-12 mph in the afternoon. Sunset is now 6pm and the temperatures are supposed to be above 60 degrees at launch.. The front road may still be closed but we can gain access from the back road coming up from Fort Valley. As of right now Im planning on going..Rich

[markc]

I am mentally preparing to be envious... The WStock forecast is looking pretty sweet!

[XCanytime]

https://ayvri.com/scene/z15y60z0jx/cl00 ... 6k2szvmjqe

[LikeToFly]

Very nice flight Bacil!

Aron

[Bari]

https://ayvri.com/scene/85qdym99j4/cl01 ... 6n50715057

Here's my track.

Gary, was the first to arrive and then it was Rich H. Bacil reached at 14:30 and I got there at 14:37.

We unloaded our gliders around 14:50 and Rich H decided to sit it out as the tower road is still closed (so we had to hike back up. Drive to the LZ from launch takes approximately 45 minutes, so logistically it was a challenge. Especially as all vehicles were on launch).

Conditions were strong with brief luls and those luls were followed by pretty rowdy roaring winds. Bacil was the first to lauch followed by Gary. While Gary was on launch there were few really rowdy cycles however, Gary waited for a calmer cycle and then launched. I waited a while for the conditions to back off a little and then with Rich H's help I launched (Thank you so much mate). Conditions in the air were decent with a few exceptions but generally it was good and very buoyant. I was on 3/4 VG for most of the flight and went to 1/4th when I decided to head for the LZ.

I had an SD card error so couldn't record but the highlights for me would have been the launch and the razor sharp landing approach. Gary was present in the LZ as I was landing. Gary told me he's going to start the hike and break down the glider after retrieving his truck. I decided to break down and start the hike.

It was awesome and really well worth it.

[XCanytime]

Very nice flight Bacil!

Aron

As you may have detected from the title of the Ayvri track, I experienced a serious life event on Tuesday 2/22/22. I looked very forward to having a therapeutic flight at Woodstock. And I did. All I can say is that hang gliding provides a healthy physical, mental, and emotional salve to the shitstorm that life can be at times.

I arrived around 2:30P at launch to find Gary and Rich in the parking lot, and moderate noise in the trees. I added a few streamers to the slot, then carried the gear in and started setting up. Gary and Bari joined me in setting up; Rich decided not to fly and to assist launches and retrieval. Thank you Rich! By 3:30P I was ready to go. The conditions on launch were moderate to moderately strong; not blown out. I timed it good and launched in a lighter cycle. I got pushed a little to the right after getting airborne by a west cross flow while still in the slot, but I flew fast out of the slot and immediately turned left. Found strong, turbulent lift as I slowly pushed SW towards the Edinburg Gap in a moderate west cross. Dolphin flew down to Waonaze Peak, staying around 1K' over launch. A mature bald eagle joined me as I flew towards the rockpile just before the peak. What a beautiful bird! I parked and just watched the bird's mastery of the air, in total awe of its prowess. I took in the moment, and realized how lucky I am to slip the surly bonds of earth, leaving behind all the crap on the ground.

Now what to do. Fort Valley Airport or Front Royal Airport? I took my time and flew up to Mudhole Gap, the staging point for a quick OTB trip to Fort Valley Airport. It took a while, trying to climb up to over 3K' MSL, before committing OTB to the airstrip. By this time it was 4:30P+, and the climbs were weak and broken, so I gave up on KFRR. I finally found some solid lift that enabled me to get over 3K' MSL while drifting downwind. I committed, and with a nice tailwind, I had a fast glide to the middle of Fort Valley.

In the middle of the valley it got downright nasty and turbulent. I spied the windsock at the airstrip, and it was bouncing from straight down the airstrip (NNE) to 90 degrees cross (WNW). As I entered a long downwind glide I experienced a complete unloading of the glider. I didn't hit the keel, but I did rock vertically in the saddle pretty good. On base another complete unloading occurred, with the same effects. I went on final parallel to the strip, then diving over the treeline to keep distance from the power line that runs along the east side of the airstrip. Got rolled right towards the power line after lining up with the airstrip. I was 100' above the line, and flying fast I was able to roll back left quickly to get back on the centerline. I got lined up, and everything looked good. Then midway I hit lift and got popped up 10' to 15'. Now I'm looking long, but I got down and started the roundout phase. The left wing got lifted, so I chose to roll in on the wheels, since the grass is cut to fairway length. A gentle roll to a stop occurred, with an audience of 30+ horses from the corral just across the gravel road. I unhooked and carried the glider over to the now empty hangar and parked it inside the hangar for the obligitory picture.

Rich was so kind to give me a body ride back to launch after he spotted the hangar picture posted on the WhatsApp group. Rich your next retrieve is on me. Back at launch I paused and took it all in. How lucky are we to be involved in this wonderful sport that cleanses the body, mind, and spirit. I'm looking forward to flying w/ all my flying compatriots this spring and summer, and to trying for Higgs' Dream/The Mission, flying from the Pulpit to the SAC. Bacil

[markc]

Thanks for the write ups, sounds like the day was a worthy one!
And Bacil, I'm glad you had such a great flight, nice!